Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: O`Brien, D. J.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
P. O. Box 9081
PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA 23806

FEASIBILITY OF A FORAGE-BASED SYSTEM FOR YEAR-ROUND LAMB PRODUCTION AND MARKETING IN THE MID-ATLANTIC U.S.

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Year-round consumer demand for locally produced lamb products are on the rise in the mid-Atlantic region. Out-of-seasonbreeding and accelerated lambing are options for increasing annual lamb crop and extending seasonal product availability.However, these systems require intensive management along with steps to extend seasonal breeding, making them difficult tooperate and costly to implement. Hair sheep are less seasonal, do well on forage/pasture based diets, and require limitedmanagement, making them well-suited for low-input production systems and accelerated mating. Multi-year research at VSU'sAgricultural Research Station (ARS) Sheep Research Unit demonstrated that the Katahdin, St. Croix, and Barbados Blackbellybreeds performed well under an 8-month breeding schedule using forage feeding and pasture lambing. Research datasuggests that a replicable model-system for the year-round production of lamb may be developed for the mid-Atlantic andsoutheastern region of the U.S. using these breeds. To be economically viable, the system must be forage-based and requirelimited inputs in facilities and labor. Therefore, VSU's Small Ruminant and Marketing & Agribusiness Extension Programs seekto collaborate with the ARS Sheep Research Unit to examine a dual-flock system, mated 4-months apart, with lambs raised onpasture for semi-continuous lamb production. The proposed project will develop and demonstrate a model for year-round lambproduction and marketing, utilize a computer simulation model to evaluate the impact of alternative inputs and managementsteps on economic returns, develop small-scale enterprise budgets for year-round hair sheep production, and conductworkshops and develop publications for small ruminant clientele.

OBJECTIVES: The major goals of this project are to develop and demonstrate a model for year-round lamb production and marketing, utilize a computer simulation model to evaluate the impact of alternative inputs and management steps on economic returns, develop small-scale enterprise budgets for year-round hair sheep production, and conduct workshops and develop publications for small ruminant clientele. Specific objectives include: (1) Developing and demonstrating a model for year-round lamb production and marketing using cool and warm season pastures and annual forages (year 1). To meet this objective, a demonstration and validation flock will be established using the current VSU hair sheep facilities and breeding flock. In managing this flock, records will be maintained on all inputs required for flock management (forage and animal) along with all system outputs(animal products). Activities under this objective will be directed by Drs. Dahlia O'Brien (VSU), Stephan Wildeus (VSU), Theresa Nartea (VSU) and Gabriel Pent (Virginia Tech); (2) Utilizing a computer simulation model to evaluate the impact of alternative inputs and management steps on economic returns (years 1 - 2). To meet this objective VSU hair sheep flock has beenmanaged under an 8-month accelerated mating system for the past 15 years using pasture/forage feeding and pasture lambing. Data collected on effects of season, dam breed, terminal sire use, pre-mating management, and weaning protocols on pregnancy and lambing rates, litter size, lamb survival, litter pre-weaning growth and weaning weight will be used to model a dual flock management system with flocks bred 4 months apart (November, March, and July) for semi-continuous lambing, and determine how changes in inputs and management practices will influence system outputs. Activities under this objective will be directed by Drs. Francois Castonguay (Laval University), Stephan Wildeus (VSU) and Dahlia O'Brien (VSU); (3) Developingsmall-scale enterprise budgets for year-round hair sheep production (years 2 - 3). Results from objectives 1 & 2 will be used to develop small-scale enterprise budgets for year round hair sheep production in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern U.S. The development of these budgets would meet a critical producer need, especially since hair sheep breed numbers are growing faster than any other breeds in the U.S. currently. Activities under this objective will be led by Dr. Theresa Nartea (VSU) with assistance from Drs. Wildeus (VSU) and O'Brien (VSU); (4) Conducting demonstrations and hands-on workshops for extension personnel and producers, and publish web-based fact sheets and project reports (years 2 - 3). The dual flock will be used to host various workshops to demonstrate routine management activities carried out as part of model implementation (pasture lambing, rotational grazing, annual pasture establishment). Effectiveness of technology transfer will be evaluated using pre- and post-training surveys, and an assessment of adoption of techniques by breeders/producers. Fact sheets and other projectrelated informational materials (videos) will be developed and posted at eXtension (http://articles.extension.org/sheep ) underthe Sheep Community of Practice as well as on a website ("VSU Hair Sheep Production") developed specifically for the dissemination of project objectives and results. Setting up workshops and demonstration will be under the direction of Dr. Dahlia O'Brien (VSU) with assistance from all co-PIs.